Digging Deeper:
- What was the main motivation behind each of the three excuses? Which of the three excuses for not following Jesus makes the most sense? Least?
- How did Jesus' blunt answers deal with each of the heart issues or conflicting loyalties behind their excuses? What was He asking them to do?
- What are some comforts that keep us from following Christ in a radical way? What kinds of distractions today keep us from being fully devoted followers of Christ?
- Paul, the apostle, gave up several things to follow Christ. Read Phil. 3:1-10. What kinds of things did He give up? What motivated Him to make these sacrifices? What kind of things might God ask us to give up today to follow Him? What would motivate us to make these kinds of sacrifices?
- What has being a follower of Jesus cost you personally? Examples might include: material things, a change of career, change in location, relationships, etc.
- How would you react if God led you toe leave where you live now and go to another city, state, or country? What thoughts would you wrestle with concerning this decision?
Living it Out
- Have a cross-cultural experience -- go out to eat at an ethnic restaurant, go to a secular lecture, attend a different church, etc.
- Come up with a way to meet your neighbors that you have not met yet.
- Strike up a conversation with a stranger.
(Note: I have been paraphrasing and using segments from Cuyahoga Valley Church's devotional booklet Missio Dei. I am in no ways trying to "steal" their work. Just share it.)
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